J-Pop Teen Star Left in Coma After Inhaling Helium for TV Stunt

A 12-year-old member of the popular Japanese all-girl singing group 3B Junior fell into a coma after inhaling helium while filming a TV show, a local TV network said Wednesday.

The girl has regained consciousness since the incident on Jan. 28 but has limited mobility and still can’t speak clearly, according to Japan Today. Other members of the group, all under 18, also inhaled helium for the show, 3B Junior Stardust Shoji, but were not hurt.

The network, TV Asahi, has apologized over the incident and said that proper safety precautions were inadequate. The container of helium is marked with a warning “For adult use only.”